The appearance of a baby’s first tooth is an exciting event for any parent. Like walking and talking, it is a milestone in development. Naturally, parents want to make sure that their growing child’s teeth remain strong and healthy.

Your dentist and other health care professionals can best advise you on the care of your baby’s teeth. Although not intended to replace a professional’s advice, this site provides basic information on proper feeding practices and care for good dental health.

Baby’s first teeth
Your child’s first teeth (called primary or baby teeth) will help prepare the way for a set of healthy, straight adult teeth. Most babies have 1 or 2 teeth by 7 months of age but, because there is variation in children’s growth rates, there is no cause for concern if the first tooth erupts before or after that age. Most of your child’s primary teeth will have appeared by 2 1/2 to 3 years of age.

Signs of teething include:

• Drooling more than usual
• Mild irritability
• Low-grade fever (not over 38.3˚C)
• Chewing or biting on hard surfaces
• Swollen, tender gums

Tooth decay, diet, and dental health
Tooth decay occurs when bacteria in the mouth use certain types of foods containing carbohydrates, particularly sugars and starches, to produce acid. This acid attacks the teeth’s enamel (hard outer covering), weakening the teeth and making them vulnerable to decay.

Carbohydrates, which often contain sugar in some form, provide an important source of energy in your baby’s diet. In breast milk and most infant formulas, sugars are present in the form of lactose. Soy formulas and lactose-free formulas contain alternative carbohydrates, such as glucose polymers or sucrose.

Older babies will also encounter sugars that are naturally present in many foods, such as fruits and fruit juices, and certain vegetables. Even cereals and other starchy foods leave a residue that bacteria can rapidly convert to sugar. 

Foods or drinks containing any type of sugar can cause tooth decay. The more frequently these substances come into contact with the teeth, and the longer they remain on the teeth, the greater is the risk of decay. Proper dental hygiene is, therefore, as important for infants as for older children and adults.

Tooth Care
Proper dental habits established early in life help maintain strong and healthy teeth and provide a good foundation for the permanent teeth.  

Start to clean your baby’s teeth as soon as they appear. The first teeth can be wiped with a damp washcloth or gauze pad after meals and at bedtime. You can also brush them with a tiny, very soft infant toothbrush. Remember to brush gently; babies’ gums are tender and can easily be injured. Toothpaste is not recommended until a child is age 2 years.

Other good practices for dental health include:
 

• Encourage your baby to drink from a training cup as early as possible—usually at about 6 months of age.
• Do not leave your baby sipping from bottle or cup for long periods; doing so would prolong the exposure of the teeth to sugar. For similar reasons, do not use the bottle as a pacifier, and do not allow baby to go to sleep with a bottle.
• Do not use bottles after 12 months of age unless advised to do so by your health care professional.
• Do not add feed baby sugar water or sugary drinks.
• Do not dip a pacifier into sugary substances.
• When baby has reached the weaning stage, provide a well-balanced and varied diet.
• Limit foods and drinks that have added sugars or sticky natural sugar like dried fruit.
• Restrict foods and drinks containing sugars to mealtimes; if sweets are given as dessert, they should follow the meal immediately. For between-meal snacks, avoid foods that are high in sugar.

The mineral fluoride is a nutrient that is critical for the formation of your child’s teeth. Babies do not require fluoride supplementation during the first 6 months of life. After that time, your health care professional can advise you about the need for fluoride supplements for your baby.

Your doctor or health care professional will examine your child’s teeth and gums during regular check-ups. If problems are detected, you’ll be referred to a dentist. Children should begin seeing a dentist for regular check-ups during their early toddler years.